Chelsea’s interest in bringing in further attacking options took up much of the summer but even though the West London side spent over £80m on six new signings Blues owner Roman Abramovich didn’t bring in a striker.

Abramovich may well be beginning to lose his patience with Spanish international Fernando Torres, who hasn’t come anywhere near justifying the £50m forked out for his services, and the Russian billionaire appears ready to finance moves for a more than adequate replacement.

Chelsea were strongly linked with a move for Falcao throughout the summer and their interest was heightened after the 26 year old struck a tremendous hat-trick against the West London side in the Super Cup Final.

Roberto Di Matteo has given the former Liverpool man Torres a consistent run in the first team and the absence of Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba should have helped to reassure Torres of his first team spot but this has not led to a return to something like the form the striker displayed during his peak periods at Anfield.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge has been dire with the striker managing just 16 goals in 76 appearances.

There has been doubts from some quarters that Radamel Falcao would not be able to replicate the form he displayed in Portugal with FC Porto in the far superior La Liga, those fears have been more than quashed.

Falcao managed 36 goals in his first season at the club and has netted eight goals in five matches thus far this term but there is a very real doubt that the one time River Plate man can challenge for titles or even secure Champions League football with Atletico Madrid and therefore there will always be a fear that a ‘bigger’ club will sooner or later nab the forward.

This is of course what happened with Fernando Torres five years ago and happened again last summer when Man City snapped up Sergio Aguero.

The Atletico Madrid man has already netted eight goals in five games this season.

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